Hi folks I am still new to the forum I just joined today actually but I had a design question. I have a good sized garden close to the house with a bunch of veggies but I live on five acres and still have a TON of room to plant things. I was wondering what to plant. I want to have a bunch of fruit and nut trees perhaps some sago palms. I also want some sort of pond for the wildlife and maybe some fish. I would also like a greenhouse for some herbs and seedlings. I am open to any and all ideas. I wish Ihad a digital camera to show you what the property looked like. Oh I am also wanting to plant a lot of stuff, not just a few plants. Our ultimate goal is to be 80-85% selfsufficient of the stores and their high prices. So design away.
Hi Pete,,welcome to the Stew! Well what i would do is take it one project at a time. List what you would really like to have done first, then second and so on,,,then do them according to your list. Also as you finish one project you may see that what you had planned for the second might not work there now,, so that gives you some room to play and decide before you jump into the next one. As far as seeds and flowers goes,, i am not the person to even think about trying to help you,,,,lol. one, i live in the Arctic,,,2, i have no clue about flowers,,i'm just learning about them myself. Believe me there are so many people on here that are well equipted to help you out, and they really know what their talking about! I'm sure someone will be along soon.
thank you Biita. I never thought about the whole process thing. I mean once I finish one thing I may not like something else where I wanted it to go. You bring up a very good point I will have to keep that in mind. I know the first project I want to do is get as many fruit bushes and trees in the groung as my budget will allow. So we will see how that goes.
You should see my face, Pete, it's green with envy. Imagine, all that ground to play on! I think Biita's given you sound advice. I won't be any help either, since I'm in a fairly cold and wet climate, a bit south of Biita.
Well thats ok. Lets put it this way. If you lived in an ideal climate what would you do with 5 acres.
*dreamy look* I'd make an area with lots of flower bushes, like rhododendron and azalea, with primula, trilliums, hostas, meconopsis and heathers scattered here and there. Since blueberries also like the same conditions, I would grow them there as well. Then I'd make an English cottage garden with overflowing borders filled with easy-to-grow, airy perennials, and have a centerpiece of strawberries, lettuce, salads and other fast-growing veggies, close to the house for easy access. I'd probably make myself a dry stone wall in that area too, and create a herb heaven next to it, using lots of stone around and in the borders. A semi-circle would be nice. And some flowering plants and shrubs that would like dry and warm conditions. Then I'd create a pond a bit away from the house, but within sight, and I'd try to slope it in order to have a small, sandy beach that I could sit on. I'd plant ferns near the pond, and some deciduous trees, but not too near it. A weeping willow would be perfect fairly close to the pond, if I could make it big enough. I think I would put the greenhouse fairly close to the house, to one of the sides, and I would make borders around it for peas, beans, onions, carrots, potatoes and whatever else I fancied growing. This is where I'd put flowers meant for cutting as well, like sweet peas, asters, daffs, lilies and more. And of course Calendula, chamomile and nasturtiums for medicine and salads. All this from the top of my head of course, but I would definately divide the big space up into smaller "rooms" by means of plants.
Now see that is exactly what Iam looking for! Those ideeas are brilliant! I will take a bunch of everyones little ideas an form them into one great idea. It may a take a few years to accomplish but I will get there eventually. Thank you so much for your input and great ideas. You gave me a lot to think about
Hi Pete, just a little bit of information that might help you out. You said you wanted a wildlife pond with some fish in it? Well I'm afraid that goldfish or any ornamental fish and wildlife ponds just don't mix. However, there's no reason why you shouldn't consider having both types of ponds in your garden (as long as they are at least 15 metres apart to prevent contamination of the natural pond.) It's simply untrue that fish keep down the algae in ponds. In fact fish generate excessive amounts of body waste, which causes a build up of sludge and other toxic based problems for other pond-life, plants and water. By laying out a fish-free wildlife pond in the right mix of shade and sunlight, your pond water will naturally manage itself throughout a yearly cycle. I have a wildlife pond in my own garden and it requires virtually no upkeep other than keeping the planting in check. Also goldfish eat dragonfly and damselfly, newt, toad and frog eggs eggs and many other pond insect eggs and larvae. Fish are simply an alien species when added to a wildlife pond and they destroy the ecology of the mini bio-system you have in a purely wildlife pond. To enjoy a really natural pond you need a little patience at first before you begin to see signs of underwater life, but when it eventually kicks in, the diversity of creatures large and small will soon fullfill your wildest expectations. It will prove far more interesting than a few ornamental fish and at the same time you will be playing your part in encouraging the re-establishment of natural pond ecosystems. Sounds good doesn't it!! Fish ponds can require a lot of upkeep compared to a wildlife pond so be prepared for quite a bit of work in maintaining one. Here are some links from here in the UK that may help you out. You would build your ponds in exactly the same way but with your own native plants. Making a wildlife pond: http://www.bto.org/gbw/PUBLICATIONS/BIR ... 0-11LR.pdf Making a fish pond: http://www.steveonline.info/stevespond.html Good luck with your pond building whether it be one or two ponds you decide on.
Take what Droopy said, then what Eileen said and add a butterfly garden out there. Mine is being started sometime this summer and hopefully coming to mostly completed next spring. I've got hollyhock, blue butterfly delphinium, tall phlox, coneflower, orange glory flower, asclepias (which they call gay butterfly mix), blanket flower, columbine, coreopsis, cosmos double, anise hyssop purple haze, creeping flox for hill, butterfly bush. I've got a list a mile long. Of course with mine, I'll read up on all of these before I buy and make sure they are good for my zone/soil and general conditions. But I had to add my 2 cents. Please keep us posted on your progress and we love pics., if you can find it in your budget please buy yourself a camera. Good luck!
what to plant You really need an overall plan, even if you plant in stages. That way it will all come together. Think first about big areas -- the pond, a patio or deck, paths, etc. Measure the space and draw it on graph paper. Get some good landscaping books to help you -- or pay a professional for the plan and then you go and do the plantings. I would create a wonderful sitting area/patio and then design around that. What views do you want? Lots of flowers or greenery instead? Think about year round color, evergreens to get you through the winter, etc. Plant the big trees and shrubs first so they start putting down roots. Then carve out perennial beds, etc.
Hi! I have a little under 3 acres of land, and it took me a few summers to be completely happy with the results. I just planted lots of flowering plants, I have a few potted plants up and down my walk ways, and I started a vegetable garden recently which I think is a huge thing! I've never had luck with vegetables, and this summer, everything seems to be growing really well. I am so proud. So to repeat what another poster said, I think you just have to take your time and do one project at a time. Also, what about decorations? I found a store that sells all sorts of garden stuff and a lot of it is funny. I bought some garden gnomes and what not just to add some flavor.
I wouldn't plant anything without the "big picture" decided first, or else you'll end up changing and moving things later. I have a dream property, and some friends of mine own it! LOL. They also have much more money than I do. I made a little map that would show what I'd do with their 5 acres (they probably have a lot more than that). The red is what I'd change, everything in black is already there. We're in colder territory, so the Pine trees could be replaced with something more appropriate for your area. Link to map of property
